Countywide

Hospital's bug buster is a hit

A BUG busting machine has been demonstrated to visitors, patients and staff at Colchester General Hospital.

Infection control and estates staff showed in three different areas of the hospital how “fogging machines” use the chemical hydrogen peroxide to kill potentially deadly bacteria.

Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust became only the second hospital in the east of England to use the technology after senior infection control nurse Heather Dakin saw it in action at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, three years ago.

Fogging machines are used at both the Trust’s hospitals in the town - Colchester General Hospital and Essex County Hospital.

Mrs Dakin said: “We spotted an opportunity and persuaded a company to lend us some machines free of charge so we could do some studies into how effective they were.

“The results were very encouraging and we now lease three machines and can bring in more if needed.

“The company has trained some of our estates staff, and the Trust’s Infection Control Team is certain these machines have contributed to the Trust’s strong infection control record.

“We are not standing still but constantly looking to invest in new ways to improve our performance.”

The machines emit hydrogen peroxide in a vapour form which permeates into all nooks and crannies, such as the inside of radiators.

Mrs Dakin said fogging was effective against many germs, including those which cause Clostridium difficile, norovirus and MRSA.